Festival Committee Chairman: County Councillor Mrs M. Taylor, M.B E, J.P Director: Mr P. T. Conroy. M.B.E. Councillor G. A. Bulmer Councillor J. L Cooke Councrllor H. L. Davies Councillor Mrs E Dobinson Councillor Mrs M. Platts Councillor Mrs G. Pragnell Councillor W E. Reveley Councillor J. A. Tatchell Councillor W J. Winn County Councillor Mrs A. Collins Mr J. Armstrong
Mr K. L Bates Mr M. R. Bryan Mr l R Crowden Mr A. Hanby Mr L Jobson
Mrs E. Keenan Mr J. Maloney Mr F. Moutrey Mr K. Sidney Mr F. Siirpson Mrs M. P. Tatchell Mr G. Lambelle - Press Officer Mr H. H Wrrght - Hon Treasurer Mrs A. Watson - Secretary Mr J. R. Tate - Stockton-on-Tees ' Borough Councrl
I
1
6th Billingham lnternational Folklore Festiva! August gth - 16th 1980 Organised by the Festival Gomrnittee in conjunction with
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Gouncil and
Affiliated to the lnternational Gounci! of Folklore Festivals The Festiva! Committee wish to acknowledge with gratitude the financial support received from:
Boots the Chemists Limated B.T.P. Tioxide Limited English Tourist Board lmperial Chemica! lndustries Limited Midland Bank Limited Northern Arts Radio Tees Thistle Hotels Limited Tyne Tees Television
r Mr Bill Rodgers M.P.
The Festival will be opened by the Rt. Hon William Rodgers MP. Mr Rodgerswasfirst elected to Parliament in 1 962 and Billingham has been wrthin his constrtuency for the iast six years. Mr Rodgers has served as a Minister in six Governmental Departments and was a member of Mr Callaqhan's Cabinet
1916
-t9
Caed Mile a Failte A Hundred Thousand Welcomes It is with considerable pleasure that welcome you to Billrngham to enJoy the Srxteenth Billrngham lnternattonal Folklore Festival. I welcome the many people who come from far-away places to entertain us and to share with us their ioy and pride in therr own folk culture. I welcome those who perhaps have not had so far to travel but who also will share in the enjoyment of Festival Week. I welcome too the many hundreds of Billingham people who, in a variety of ways, help to ensuTe the success of our Festival. Whether from near or afar you will drscover that this small town of Billrngham has created a happy, joyous and unique event with a world wide reputation, givrng pleasure to thousands. I
Each year the Festival Committee aims to bring to Billingham the very best in traditional, international folklore This year is no exception. Of the eleven countries particrpating, four are represented for the first time Colombia, the German Democratic Bepublic, lndia and Senegal. We look forward to their exhilarating and colourful performances. ln addition we have five new groups from countries
previouqly represented Czechoslovakia, Finland, Hungary, Spain and Sri Lanka, and of course we have our old friends from the German Federal Bepublic and from Mexico. I am delrghted that this year's Festival will be opened by the Right Honourable William Rodgers MP our own local Member of Parliament and a Cabinet
Minister in Her Majesty's Government 1976 79. He is always keenly interested in Billrngham and we welcome him to open this major cultural event.
Many lasting friendships are formed at Billingham and not simply between our visitors and the people of Billingham. This is surely one of the major features of the Festrval Through this coming together of different traditjons from so many countnes, Billingham contributes to a qreater mutual understanding of the life and culture of the peoples of the world. ln these days of uncertainty and tensron, the Billrngham International Folklore Festival provides a ray of hope. As an old Chinese proverb says: lt is better to light one candle than to curse the d a rkness.
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Maureen Taylor Chairman, Festival Committee
Groups and Artistes taking part Colombia Folklore Ensemble of the Universrdad del Valle
-
Cali
Director
-
Carmen Lopez
West lndies Carribean Steel Band (Club only)
Czechoslovakia
-
Josef Vycpalek Folklore Ensemble Prague
Director Dr Eva
Rejskova
Finland
Folklore Ensemble "Katrilli" - Helsinki Directors - Sirka Viitanen and Doris Laine German Democratic Republic Folklore Ensemble of Suhl Director - Margrit Kirchner
Northern Folk Drrector
Hungary
"Zalla" Folk Dance Group
-
LV. Orsovsky
lndia Folklore Ensemble "Sonarchand" New Delhi Director - Shri Sonar Chand
-
Mexico Folklore Ensemble of the University of Guadalalara Director Raphael Zamarripa Senegal
Folktore Ensemble " Ngalam" Director - Pierre Drouf Spain Coros y Danzas - Bada.loz Director Rafael Maldonado
f
England, lreland, Scotland Billingham Festival Dancers Director - Bob Hare Billingham Silver Band Conductor - D.V. Evans Cashel Ceili Band Leader - Richard Burlinson Danel.aw Country Dance Band Leader - Robert Whitehead The Festival Jazz Men -
-
Leader - Reg Wall Fettlers Leader - Stewart McFarlane
German Federal Republic The Boys'Band of Meersburg Conductor - Werner Asmacher
Drrector
Sri Lanka Pulasthi Dance Ensemble Kotte Director Somapala Mudunkothge
-
-
P.T. Conroy
Musicians from the G.D.R
I
Summary of Programme Saturday, 9th August 1.30 pm Town Centre Carrbbean Steel Band 2.00 pm Parade to Town Centre 2.3Opm Town Centre Opening Ceremony and lnternational Concert. All groups from abroad, Bill.ingham Festival Dancers. Billingham Silver Band. Northern Folk. 7.30 pm- College Theatre
midnight
7.30 B.O0
pm pm
Danelaw Country Dance Band and Bob Hare, Ged Foley and Jez Lowe. German Democratic Republic Folklore Ensemble of Suhl. English, lrish and Scottish Dancing for all. Licensed Bar (Subject to licence) Admission C2.00 Forum Theatre lndia; Czechoslovakia
- Senegal; Mexico Town Centre (Weather permitting) German Federal Republic ; Colombia ; Finland, Hungary Admission 60p Child and OAP 30p
Czechoslovakia Forum Theatre - Fiesta Night Spain ; Colombia, Mexrco
Monday, 1 1th August 12 noon Town Centre lndra ; Colombia; Senegal
7.30
pm
pm
Czechoslovakia
-
pm
Senegal;
Forum Theatre
German Federal Republic Finiand - Colombia;
;
Czechoslovakia
Tuesday, 1 2th August 12 noon Town Centre Finland ; Senegal ; Hungary;
1.45
pm
7.30 7.30
pm pm
Mexico Town Centre (Weather permitting) "The Extra Dimension" ending wrth an lnternational Barn Dance (4.00 - 5.30 pm) featuring German Federal Bepublic, Cashel Ceili Band and Bob Hare (Admission Free) College Theatre Finland, Senegal Forum Theatre
-
Mexico
Friday, 1sth August 12 noon Town Centre Sri Lanka ; German Democratic Republic ; Czechoslovakia
3.30
pm
7.30
pm
7.30
pm
German Federal Republic; Hungary
-
lndia; Spain
, DemocraticRepublic;Spain 'Town Centre 3.30 pm 7.30
pm
German Federal Republic, Hungary; Sri Lanka, Mexico College Theatre
lndia; Colombia 7.30
pm
-
pm
7.30
pm
pm
8.00
pm
9.00
pm
9.30
pm
German
;
Thursday, 14th August 12 noon Town Centre Senegal ; German Democratic Republic; Colombia ;
3.30
7.00
Federal Republic ; Sparn Forum Theatre Gerrnan Democratic Republic H ungary - Mexico
Czechoslovakia
Town Centre Finland, Hungary; Sri Lanka; Spain College Theatre
German Democratic Republic - Sri Lanka; Hungary
Spain
Mexico Town Centre German Federal Republic Finland; lndia;Spain
;
;
College Theatre Gala Concert. All groups from
abroad Forum Theatre Gala Concert. All groups from abroad
Saturday, 1 6th August 1.30 pm Town Centre Billingham Silver Band 2.00 pm Parade to Town Centre 2.30 pm Town Centre All groups from abroad Billingham Festival Dancers Presentation of Pennants
Wednesday, 13th August 12 noon Town Centre lndia; Colombia; German
;
Czechoslovakia College Theatre lndia ; German Democratic Republic - Mexrco
7.30
Forum Theatre
Sri Lanka; Finland
Cerli
Sunday, lOth August 2.30 pm Parade to Town Centre 3.00 pm Town Centre All groups from abroad 7.30 pm College Theatre German Federal Republic; 'Hungary Senegal; -
7.30 pm
7.30
;
lnternational Farandole Town Centre Folk Music Song and Dance Concert by Northern Folk (Admission Free) Town Centre Concert by the Boys Band of Meersburg (Admission Free) Torchlight Procession to Town Centre Closing Ceremony with the Boys Band of Meersburg Fireworks Display in John Whitehead Park
Saturday, 9th August 1.30 p.m. Town Centre Caribbean Steel Band - West lndies
7.30 p.m. - midnight Ceili in College Theatre
Danelaw Country Dance Band, Bob Hare Ged Foley and Jez Lowe
2.OO p.m. Grand Parade of Folklore Groups Route: Telstar - Low Grange Avenue Marsh House Avenue - Causeway Town Centre.
2.3O p.m. Opening Ceremony Assembly of groups in front of Municipal Buildings, Town Centre. Address of welcome by County Councillor Mrs M. Taylor M B.E., J.P. (Chairman of the Festival Committee). Opening of the Festival by the Rt. Hon. William Rodgers M.p.
German Democratic Republic - Folklore Ensemble of Suhl English, lrish and Scottish Dancing for all. Licensed Bar (Subject to Licence) Admission f 2.00
lnternational Concert England - Billingham Festival Dancers Colombia - Folklore Ensemble of the Universided del Valle - Cali Czechoslovakia - Josef Vycpalek Folklore Ensemble - Prague Finland - Folklore Ensemble "Katrilli" Helsin ki German Democratic Republic- Folklore Ensemble of Suhl German Federal Republic- The Boys' Band of Meersburg Hungary- "Zalla" Folk Dance Group lndia - Folklore Ensemble "sonarchand" New Delhr Mexico- Folklore Ensemble of the Un iversity of Guada lajara Senegal - Folklore Ensemble "Ngalam" Spain- Coros y Danzas - Badajoz Sri Lanka- Pulasthi Dance Ensemble - Kotte Northern Folk.
Folklore Ensemble "Ngalam" Folk Music, Song and Dance of Mexico Folklore Ensemble of the University of Guadalajara
7.3O p.m.
8.OO p.m.
lnternational Concert of Folk, Song and
lnternational Concert Town Centre (weather permrtting) German Federal Republic - The Boys' Band of Meersburg Colombia Folklore Ensemble of the Universidad del Valle of Cali Finland - Folklore Ensemble "Katrilli" of
Dance
Billingham Forum Theatre Folk Music, Song and Dance of lndia Folklore Ensemble "Sonarchand" - New Delhi Folk Music, Song and Dance of Czechoslovakia Josef Vycpalek Fol klore Ensemble of Prague
Mexrcan Dance Couple
2.45 p.m.
INTERVAL (20 mrns) Folk Music, Song and Dance of Senegal
Helsinki
Hungary- "Zalla" Folk Dance Group
T
Sunday, l Oth August 2.30 p.m. Grand Parade Route Technical College Causeway
Iown Centre 3.OO p.m. Afternoon Concert All groups from abroad 7.30 p.m. lnternational Concert of Folk Music, Song and Dance Billingham College Theatr,e Folk Music of the German Federal Republic The Boys' Band of Meersburg Folk Music, Song and Dance of Hungary
"Zalla" Folk Dance Group INTERVAL (20 mins)
Folk Music, Song and Dance of Senegal Folklore Ensemble "Ngalam" Folk Music, Song and Dance of Czechoslovakia
Josef Vycpalek Folklore Ensemble
7.30 p.m. Fiesta Night Billingham Forum Theatre Folk Music, Song and Dance of Spain Coros y Danzas Badajoz Folk Music, Song and Dance of Colombia Folklore Ensemble of the Universidad del Valle Folk Music, Song and Dance of Mexico Folklore Ensemble of the University of Guada lalara
"Peacock Dance
lndian National Dance
Monday,llth August 12.OO noon Lunch Hour Concert
Town Centre lndia - Folklore Ensemble "Sonarchand" Colombia - Folklore Ensemble of the UniversidaC del Valle Senegal - Folklore Ensemble "Ngalam" Czechoslovakia - Josef Vycpalek Folklore Ensemble 7.30 p.m.
lnternational Concert of Folk Music, Song and Dance Billingham College Theatre Folk Music, Song and Dance of lndia Folklore Ensemble "Sonarchand" Folk Music, Song and Dance of the German Democratic Republic Folklore Ensemble of Suhl INTERVAL (20 mins)
Folk Music, Song and Dance of Mexico Folklore Ensemble of the University of Guadalajara 7.3O p.m.
lnternational Concert of Folk Music, Song and Dance
Billingham Forum Theatre Folk Music, Song and Dance of Sri Lanka Pulasthi Dance Ensemble Folk Music, Song and Dance of Finland Folklore Ensemble "Katrilli" INTERVAL (20 mins)
Folk Music, Song and Dance of Senegal Folklore Ensemble "Ngalam" Folk Music, Song and Dance of Czechoslovakia
Josef Vycpalek Folklore Ensemble
Czechoslovak Couple
Tuesday,l2th August 1 2 noon Lunch Hour Concert Town Centre Finland Folklore Ensemble "Katrillr" Senegal Folklore Ensemble "Ngalam"
Hungary- "Zalla" Folk Dance Group
Mexico - Folklore Ensemble of the University of Guadalajara
1.45 p.m. "The Extra Dimension" Town Centre (weather permitting) Admission Free. "The Extra Drmension" ending with an lnternational Barn Dance (4 OO p.m 5 30 p.m.) featuring German Federal Bepublic, Cashel Ceili Band and Bob Hare
7.30 p.m. lnternational Concert of Folk Music, Song and Dance Billingham College Theatre Folk Music, Song and Dance of Finland Folklore Ensemble "Katrrlli" Folk Music, Song and Dance of Senegal Folklore Ensemble "Ngalam" INTERVAL (20 mins)
Folk Music, Song and Dance of Mexico Folklore Ensemble of the University of Guadalajara
7.30 p.m. lnternational Concert of Folk Music, Song and Dance
Billingham Forum Theatre Folk Music, Song and Dance of the German Federal Republic Folklore Ensemble of Suhl Folk Music, Song and Dance of Hungary "Zalla" Folk Dance Group INTERVAL (20 mins)
Folk Music, Song and Dance of lndia Folklore Ensemble "Sonarchand" Folk Music, Song and Dance of Spain
CorosyDanzas-Badajoz
Colombran 'Square
Wednesday, 13th August 2 noon Lunch Hour Concert Town Centre lndia - Folklore Ensemble "Sonarchand" Colombia - Folklore Ensemble of the Universidad del Valle German Democratic Republic- Folklore Ensemble of Suhl Spain - Coros y Danzas - Badajoz 1
3.30 p.m. Afternoon Concert Town Centre German Federal Republic- The Boys' Band
of Meersburg Hungary- "Zalla" Folk Dance Group Sri Lanka - Pulasthi Dance Ensemble
Mexico Folklore
Ensemble of the University of Guadalajara 7.30 p.m.
lnternational Concert of Folk Music, Song and Dance Billingham College Theatre Folk Music, Song and Dance of lndia Folklore Ensemble "Sonarchand" Folk Music, Song and Dance of Colombia Folklore Ensemble of the Universidad del Valle INTERVAL (20 mins)
Folk Music of the German Federal Republic The Boys' Band of Meersburg Folk Music, Song and Dance of Spain
CorosyDanzas-Badaloz 7.30 p.m. lnternational Concert of Folk Music, Song and Dance Billingham Forum Theatre The festival committee is
grateful to
MIDLAND BANK LIMITED for their contribution towards the cost of promoting this concert
I
Folk Music, Song and Dance of the German
Democratic Republic Folklore Ensemble of Suhl Folk Music, Song and Dance of Hungary "Zalla" Folk Dance Group INTEBVAL (20 mins)
Folk Music, Song and Dance of Mexico Folklore Ensemble of the University of Guadalajara
Dancers from Finland
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ii $
i,:s
Thursddy,l4th August 1 2 noon Lunch Hour Concert
Town Centre Senegal - Folklore Ensemble "Ngalam" German Democratic Republic - Folklore Ensemble of Suhl Colombia - Folklore Ensemble of the Universidad del Valle Czechoslovakia Josef Vycpalek Folklore Ensemble
3.30 p.m. Afternoon Concert Town Centre Finland Folklore Ensemble "Katrilli" Hungary - "Zalla" Folk Dance Group Sri Lanka - Pulasthi Dance Ensemble Spain Coros y Danzas - Badajoz
7.30 p.m. lnternational Concert of Folk Music, Song and Dance Billingham College Theatre Folk Music, Song and Dance of the German Democratic Republic Folklore Ensemble of Suhl Folk Music, Song and Dance of Spain
CorosyDanzas-Badajoz INTERVAL (20 mins) Folk Music, Song and Dance of Sri Lanka Pulasthi Dance Ensemble Folk Music, Song and Dance of Hungary "Zalla" Folk Dance Group
7.30 p.m. lnternational Concert of Folk Music, Song and Dance
Billingham Forum Theatre Folk Music of the German Federal Republic The Boys' Band of Meersburg Folk Music, Song and Dance of Finland Folklore Ensemble " Katrilli" INTERVAL (20 mins)
Folk Music, Song and Dance of Colombia Folklore Ensemble of the Universidad del Valle
Folk Music, Song and Dance of Czechoslovakia Josef Vycpalek Folklore Ensemble
Czechoslovak Dan
Notes on Goncert Programmes Evening Theatre concerts wrll last for approximately 2! hours including the rnterval and at these concerts Mexico will grve the second halIof the programme tn the Forum Theatre on Sunday and Wednesday and in the College Theatre on Monday and Tuesday. Your attention is drawn to the Fiesta Night on Sunday in the Forum Theatre, when the three groups with a Spanrsh influence combine for a special concert. Lunch-time concerts from Monday to Friday in the Town Centre will last for approximately 9O minutes. ln the event of bad weather, the Closing Ceremony will be held in the College Theatre but the Extra Dimension and Saturday Evening Town Centre concerts will be cancelled. lf inclement weather prevents the start of any other outside event, the event wrll be held in the College and Forum Theatres and trcket holders are guaranteed a performance. However, if an outside concert starts and the weather changes and makes it impossible to continue, the remainder of the concert will be cancelled. Ticket money cannot be refunded.
Dancers from Badajoz
2
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fEIft:nan,
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Dancers from the Zalla Folk Dance Group , Hungary
c.l.o.F. F. C.l.O F F. - The lnternational Council of Folklore Festival Organisers - is frequently referred to in this programme. This very rmportant internatronal organisation came into being in 1970 and the Billingham Festival was one of its founder-members. Today (through its membership of the International Mitsic Councrl), C.l.O.F.F. is part of U.N.E.S..C.O. and has an active membership of .more than 30 countries. A glance througll the "Group Notes" in this programme will quickly show how much the Billingham Festival relies on its membership of C.l.O.F F to ensure visits here by many leading ensembles from all parts of the globe. There can, in fact, be no doubt that our Festival owes much of its success as one of the major lnternational Folklore Festivals in the world to its membership of C I O.F.F. Our Director, Mr Philip Conroy MBE, is a member of the Executive Council and Treasurer of the Organisation - a telling indication of the respect which heand the Billingham lnternatronal Folklore Festrval enjoy throughout the Folklore world. This year, the General Assembly of C.l.O.F.F. has produced a brochure giving details of all of the world's most famous lnternational Folklore Festivals. Printed in five languages and with many colour pictures, the brochure is on sale, price f 1 .OO, and copies may be obtained from the festival Office. C.l.O.F.F.'s hopes for the future are expressed in the preface to the brochure. The organrsation believes that folklore has an important role to play in fostering international co-operation. lt seeks to help preserve folk traditions and to make folklore one of the important links in a chain of cultural activities. Festtvals are seen as places of friendly meetings
T
between young people and as forums for artistic confrontation. They create a healthy environment for the devolopment of mutual understanding. These are not just pious hopes - a!l who have been to the Billingham Festival over the years can testify to the fact that. here, barriers to international understanding can indeed be breached.
The C.l.O.F.F. emblem, shown here, has become the symbol of friendship, of international co-operation and of close relations between different cultures. We are proud to display the C.l.O.F.F. emblem at our Festival.
Supporting Events Festival Club'80 Held in the Billingham Arms Hotel every evening from Friday, Bth August to Saturday, 16th August inclusive, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., this is the place to meet festival groups and your frrends in pleasant surroundings and to dance to the music of our resident Caribbean Steel Band. Fettlers and the Festival Jazzmen will perform on alternate evenings throughout the week, and visiting groups will also be appearing on eight evenings. The detailed programme. which comprises live music only, rs as follows: Every evening - Caribbean Steel Band.
Friday, Bth August - Fettlers. Saturday, 9th August - Festival Jazzmen Spain.
lnternational Art and Craft Exhibition Billingham Forum Each year we endeavour to make this popular feature of the Billingham Festival more interesting and more attractive. The aim is to display some of the traditional folk art and craft of our Northern Region alongside that of some of the countries represented at the Festival.
There will also be an opportunrty of seei local craftsmen at work - showing us their
skills in leatherwork. embroidery, pewter, silver and ceramics.
Northu mbrian Craftsmen The Socrety of Northumbrian Craftsmen is holding its Annual Exhibition this year as part of the Festival Exhibition. As a Society it seeks to encourage its members to work in a contemporary idiom, whilst through exhibitions, demonstrations and workshops tt ollers constructive support to those craft forms which are in danger of becoming extinct.
Sunday, l Oth August - Fettlers - German Democratic Republic. Monday, 1 l th August - Festival Jazzmen Colombia. Tuesday, 1 2th August - Fettlers Czechoslovakia.
Wednesday, 1 3th August - Festival Jazzmen Sri Lanka. Thursday. 1 4th August - Fettlers - Senegal. Friday, 1 5th August - Festival Jazzmen Mexico.
Saturday, 16th August - Fettlers - Northern Folk
Membership is available to persons over 'I 8 years of age, but is granted on person6l application only. Club fee is f 5.00. Members may sign in a limited number of bona fide guests at fl1.80 pervisit but there will be no other casual admissions.
Ferguson
Mexican Dance Masks We are privileged this year to be able to display part of an exciting and colourful collection of Mexican Dance Masks. The full collection is probably the finest of its kind, backed up by several years of research in Mexico. The masks come the collection of two experts on Mexican Dance - Michael Calderwood. a Cambridge history graduate, and Michael Kelly, who has studied at the University of Mexico. They are anxious to preserve t masks, which symbolise both the pagan gods worshipped in Mexico before the
Spaniards conquered the country, and the saints of the Christian religion imposed by the invaders. The result ts a rich and varied
artistic heritage.
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Dolls produced by Julra Hills at the 1 g7B Festival Exhibition
Also from Mexico, we have an exhibition of sketches which Rafael Zamarripa,leader of the Mexican Dance Group, made during his stay with us in 197f
.
artrst. He will record the Festival in an entirely novel way and we look forward to seeing his work. The Clare Youth Choir This choir will perform at the Opening of the Exhibition and during the week in the Exhibition Hall.
Northern Arts For the past five years, generously helped by Northern Arts - our Begional Arts Association - we have been able to commission work by local artists and craftsmen. This year, in a small exhibition withrn the main one, we will drsplay this commissioned work. Kerth Pattison, a local
photographer, is this year's commissioned
I
American lndian Exhibition Art Gallery 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Daily The First Americans This is a very interesting Exhibitron which attempts to cover the full range of American lndian Art with examples of the work of many different tribes and cultures
Between their arrival and the later arrival of the Europeans, the lndians spread across the northern conttnent and developed many different life-styles. "Art for art's sake" had little relevance except to the lndians of the north-west coast where only the fine art, as we know rt, prospered. However. to an lndian, art was symbolic and functional; objects were decorated for spiritual or ceremonial reasons as well as aesthetic pleasure. Many materials were used and various skills passed from one tribe to another.
Children's Activities Library Programme Dancers and musicians, in national dress,
will give demonstrations of their country's folklore traditions. Programmes will also include stories from and about the countnes from which our visitors come. The events are free and open to all children and take place in the libraries as shown below, starting at 10 a.m. and lasting about an hour.
Roseberry Finland
Monday Tuesday lndia Wednesday GDB Thursday GFR Friday Senegal
Bedale Finland
Senegal
Festival Trail An interesting competition for children. Come and follow the trail, starting any time before or during FestivalWeek. Winners wrll receive a prize of tickets for the open-air concert on the final Saturday afternoon. Booklets are available from Roseberry Library, Bedale Library, The Forum, The Community Centre, and Festival Office.
Folk Dance Course This is the third year of the Junior Dance Course. Children who haVe attended these courses have been working hard during the past two years leading to their appearance at the Festival on Saturday, 9th August and Saturday, 1 6th August. The children, known as Billingham Festival Dancers. will be receiving further rnstruction from two nationally known folkdance teachers.
Another group of Cleveland children has been enrolled to start the course this year. Their teachers for the week will be Bob Hare and Ron Marshall. We are grateful to Tyne Tees Television for their generous support whtch is an acknowledgement of the foresight of the Festival Committee in initiating this exciting project for children.
The Extra Dimension This event, introduced in Jubilee year, has become a permanent feature of the Festival. The 'Dimension' is essentially a Fun Event, a Town Centre Party, free and for all the family, which takes place on the Tuesday afternoon, commencing at 1.45 p.m.
immediately after the lunch-time concert. The event will end with the open-air lnternational Barn Dance from 4.OO p.m. to 5.3O p.m.
There is something here for everyone to enjoy: Uncle Mac and Aunty Phil (a very special Punch and Judy Show and always a star attraction), children's games and an lnternational Skittles Championship, performances by local children doing Mummer plays and items by the Festival Dancers.
The Boys' Band of Meersburg will open the event and assist Bob Hare and the Cashel Ceili Band at the Barn Dance. Admission is free.
German Federal Republic " Knabenmusik Meersburg" This is the third visit of this band to the Billingham Festival. Their last appearance was in 1 971 and the delayed return is not due to any reluctance on our part to have them back with us. On several occasions they have been invited but for a variety of reasons, have been unable to come. Toni Haile, the conductor who brought them here prevrously has retired and it is probable that the personnel will have changed completely from their last visit. Meersburg is an old, historrcal town on Lake Constance which rs part of the SwissGerman border. There has been a Boys' Choir and instrumental group in the town since medieval times. Originally, the Prince Bishops, were the sponsors and the music was performed rn Church. The orchestra had brass instruments added in about 1800 and the band had its origin in this period. The present band was formed in 1
957
Over 5O boys play at Billrngham which is the main stop on an extensive tour. They wear a colourful costume consisting of a black triangular hat, white lace shirt and a jabot, red velvet jacket and black velvet breeches with white stockings. This dress used to be the uniform worn by the guards of the Archbishop's castle. lnstruments making up the band are flutes, oboes, clari nets, saxophone. bassoons, tru mpets, horns, trombones, tubers. lyre and
percussion. The band's achievements and press tributes are many and varred. ln their own country they have played before their own Chancellor and the Council of Europe. They have visited a great number of other European countries and frequently played on radio and TV networks. They have made many records and some are currently on
I
sale. The last time the writer of this article saw them they were playing in the Munich Soccer Stadium before the final of the World Cup between the GDR and Holland. The Band plays throughout the week in a variety of concerts and gives a performance on its own in the Town Centre on the evening of Saturday 1 6th August. They also provide the music at the Closing Ceremony.
Hungary "Zalla" Folk Dance Group - Zalaegerszeg The first group from Eastern Europe to appear at Billingham was the Ensemble "Czardas" whrch came to our first festival
group to come here, were amongst the best dancing ever seen on our stages.
from the town of Godollo. ln '1 965 East/West exchanges were not as common as they are now and we were very lhrrlled to have such an rntereslrng group to visit us.
The other factor has been the romantic. melodious music by the groups which have shown the gypsy influence in Hungarian traditions. Lazslo Berki thnlled us with his virtuoso violin playing in 191 1 and we were indeed fortunate that very same year to have Katalin Madarascz, famous Hungarian gypsy singer perform here with the Ensemble "Torekves"
Stnce then another five ensembles have been here from Hungarywhich shows the popularity of this country's music and dance tradrtions with our audiences. There have, we thrnk, been two ma.;or factors in Hungarian presentations which have made them attracttve to our supporters. The strong, virile dancing of the men is unique,
exciting and stimulating. The performances by Bela Bartok, the last
The Folklore Ensemble "Zalla" comes from the south west of Hungary with an outstandrng reputation and a brtlliant director in lstvan Orsavsky. They have received the highest awards in their own country and have performed in Austria,
Belgium, France, Holland, Yugoslavia, Poland, Czechoslovakia and U.S S.R They state that their main aim is to use the basic traditrons of Hungarian folklore to create a theatre performance of high ar trstrc qualrty. All our Hungarian visitors have given high quality performances and we are certain lhal"Zalla" willcontinue the trad jtron their predecessors have established here.
lndia Folklore Ensemble "Sonarchand" - New Delhi This small group consists of Director, 3 Musicians and 1O dancers. lt will, we think prove to be one of the most unusual attractions at this year's Festival. They will introduce a completely new dance experience to our audiences.
"Sonarchand" comes to us through the lndian High Commrssion in London After sending a representative to our 1 979 Festival they asked the lndian Council for Cultural Relations to send a group here this year. The ensemble performs in Bulgaria and Austria, then takes part in C.l.O F F Festivals in Schoten, Belgium; Brunssum, Holland; Rochefort and Oloron, France; before [rnally coming lo Billingham to finish their tour. The group is directed by Shri Sonar Chand who comes from lmphal in the state of Manipur. He was trained at the Natya lnstitute of Choreography and awarded the Diploma with distinction for Production of Ballet and Mime in 1 968. Steeped in Folk traditions, he has been dancing with groups of Gurus in Manipur since an early age He has studred the folk dances of lndia and adapted them for the stage, specialising in Mime. He and his company have travelled all over lndia. Burma, Sri Lanka. Nepal and Afghanistan. He was selected to act as Consultant in the German Democratrc Republrc production of the opera "Vasantasena". The ensemble will present a wide variety of dances from all over the sub-continent. Many will have a religious influence.
"Thabel Chongbi" is performed in moonlight bn the occasion of the Holi Festrval, one of the great occasions of the Hrndu year. "Dandia Ras" is a dance from Gujarat in which songs are sung to Lord Krishna
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Dances with swords, are an lndian tradition and one of Sonar Chand's special inlerests. lt wrll be inlereslrng to compare these with the English sword dances of our own region. Over the years we have seen Gipsy dances on our stages from Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Spain and other countries, "Bantara" the lndran Gipsy Dance from the State of Ralasthain is in this group's :epertoire to be given here. Lighting and Stage Direction - Ashok Sagar Bhagat Costume and Make Up - Amar Swaroop "Ya ksgana"
from Karnataka
Mexico The Folklore Ensemble of the University of Guadalaiara It is a privilege to welcome back this brilliant ensemble whrch entertained us in such a magnificent fashron in 1977. 50strong with approximately 500 costumes they are a festival in themselves. The repertorre of this company has to be seen to be believed - they estimate that they can give six two-hour performances without repeatrng themselves. They promise new dances, songs and costumes on this tour. One unusual performance, which is something new for Billingham, will be their participation in the "Fiesta Night" at the Forum Theatre on Sundaywhen there is an evenrng exclusively for groups with a
Spanish influence. Directing the ensemble again is Rafael Zamarripa, a most remarkable person with many oustanding talents. He began his dance career with the professional company "Ballet Folklorico Mexico" which is world famous. After becoming the leading male dancer, he left the company to continue his art studies which he had interrupted to follow a dance career. Now Professor of the School of Plastic Arts at Guadalajara University, he teaches his students art and dance and the students make up this company. Once again the group will present items from every region of the country and the traditions vary extensively. Some of the items presented in the past are included but most of what we shall see is new. We have to wait until the final Saturday afternoon performance before we see El Culebra, the Dance of the Snake -which was one of the very popular items on their previous visits. This company can only come here because of the co-operation of other Festivals of C.l.O.F.F. who have combined
wrth us to present them at their events. Our Director has been responsible for organrsing Guadalajara's tour and coordinating the arrangements for C.l.O F.F You could also see the group in Schoten (Belgium) Brunssum (Holland) Sidmouth (Enqland), Fribourg (Switzerland) Zakopane and Zielona Gora (Poland).
Senega!
Folklore Ensemble - "Ngalalrr" - Louga
Africa is a country rich in folklore heritage very little of which has been seen at our festivals. There have been two appearances by a group from the Congo and another by a small company from Tu n
isia.
Senegal is a very culture conscious country and rn 1981 they are organising the first C.l.O.F.F. lnternational Folklore Festival in Dakar. Five African and five European countries will particrpate. We wish them success.
Senegal was admitted to C.l.O.F.F. last year and it is through their delegates, who are government officers, that thrs present visit of their group has been arranged. The
Ensemble 'Ngalam' will appear at Schoten and Brunssum as well as Billingham. The country has always had a reputation
for its dance traditions and the National Dance Company (whrch at one trme, we thought might come to Brllingham) has made many successful tours and been acclaimed by the dance critics in Britain and elsewhere. This group froni Louga is no gtranger to the international scene, As long ago as 1962 they performed in Finland and they have made a successful tour in Mexico. ln 1974lhey were in Oloron (France) and in 197 7 at Bayon'ne. One gathers that the ensemble has been chosen to come,here this year because of its success in the'national competition held in April. Each year the state organises a competition,for'troupes from all parts of the country. There are 3O departments and each has its own 'knock out'event. The winners go'into the regional competition (there qre 8 regions) and the final which consists of performances by the eight winners is held in Dakar. This years national winners are 'Ngalam' who have apparently been very successful recently after a period in the shadows.
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Senegalese Dancers and Musicians
Spain
GorosyDanzas-Badajoz Since "Roque Nublo" from Las Palmas in the Canary lslands first captivated Billingham audrences in 1 966 there has been a specral place at this Festival for groups from Spain. Over the years, our regular patrons have seen ensembles from many different regions and have come to understand the widely different traditions wh jch exist in this country. Spain has probably the greatest heritage of folklore of any country in the world and it will be possible to go on bringing Spanish groups to Billingham for many years to come, who will be presentrng dances and songs never seen or heard here previously. The contrasts, we know, are immense, the gay abandon of the Flamenco and the stately steps of the graceful Basques, have been greatly enloyed on our stages. Thrs year we go lo Badaloz, in the west of Spain, near the Portuguese border for our group. The group fulfils the popular British idea of what a Spanrsh song and dance group should be like. Handsome, dashing young men wiih large wide brrmmed hats, slim fitting black trousers and waist coats, red sashes and built up heeled shoes which beat out a pleasant attractrve rhythm. The girls are beautiful, dark, graceful with the most delightfully embroidered and decoratrve costumes. The members of the group have most attractive personalities and really enjoy dancing and singing. The dances are fiery
and spectacular with castanets playing an important part in the speedy rhythms. As long as there is an audience interested in lrstening and watching then they will dance, play and sing.
The group was founded in 1 940 and has a long history of success at national level and international events all over the world. They first impressed our Director at the National Festival of Coros y Danzas in Madrid in 1912 and he is especially pleased that they are with us this year The group comes by arrangement with Maria J Sampelayo, Vice President of C I O F F who, as the Senior Officer in the
Mrnistry of Culture responsible for Folklore, has the awesome task of preserving Spanish folklore traditions Last year Badaloz performed at Zakopane in Poland and won the audience pnze al the Festival, that is they were the most popular group They will be strong contenders for the same title at Billingham this year.
Friday, 1sth August 1 2 noon Lunch Hour Concert Town Centre Sri Lanka - Pulasthi Dance Ensemble German Democratic Republic- Folklore Ensemble of Suhl Czechoslovakia - Joqef Vycpalek Folklore
Mexico - Folklore Ensemble of the University of Guadalajara
Order of appearance and lnterval (1 5 mins) to be announced Colombia - Folklore Ensemble oI the Universrdad del Valle Czechoslovakia - Josef Vycpalek Folklore Ensemble
3.30 p.m.
"Bhangra" Dance from the Indian Punjab
Ensemble
Afternoon Concert Town Centre German Federal Republic - The Boys' Band of Meersburg Finland Folklore Ensemble "Katrilli" lndia - Folklore Ensemble "Sonarchand" Spain - Coros y Danzas - Badaloz
7.30 p.m. Gala lnternational Concert of Folk Music, Song and Dance Billingham College Theatre Order of appearance and lnterval (1 5 mins) to be announced Colombia - Folklore Ensemble of the Universidad del Valle Czechoslovakia - Josef Vycpalek Folklore Ensemble
Finland - Folklore Ensemble "Katrilli" German Democratic Republic- Folklore Ensemble of Suhl German Federal Republic - The Boys' Band of Meersburg Hungary - "Zalla" Folk Dance Group lndia - Folklore Ensemble "Sonarchand" Mexico - Folklore Ensemble of the U niversity of Guadalalara Senegal - Folklore Ensemble "Ngalam" Spain - Coros y Danzas - Badajoz Sri Lanka Pulasthi Dance Ensemble
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7.30 p.m. Gala lnternational Concert of Folk Music, Song and Dance Billingham Forum Theatre
Finland - Folklore Ensemble "Katrilli"
German Democratic Republic - Folklore Ensemble of Suhl German Federal Bepublic The Boys' Band of Meersburg Hungary - "Zalla" Folk Dance Group lndia - Folklore EnSemble "Sonarchand" Mexico Folklore Ensemble of the University of Guadalajara Senegal - Folklore Ensemble "Ngalam" Spain Coros y Danzas - Badajoz Sri Lanka - Pulasthi Dance Ensemble
Saturday,l6th August 1.30 p.m. Town Centre
Hymn The day Thou gavest Lord is ended
Brllrngham Silver Band 2.OO p.m.
Grand Parade Route. Technical College - Causeway Town Centre
2.30 p.m. Farewell lnternational Concert Town Centre Items by all groups from abroad Billingham Festival Dancers Presentation of Pennants
lnternational Farandole 7.OO p.m.
Town Centre Folk Music. Song and Dance Concert by 'Northern Folk' (Admission Free) 8.OO p.m.
Town Centre Band Concert The Boys' Band of Meersburg
The day Thou gavest Lord is ended The darkness falls at Thy behest. To Thee our morning hymns ascended Thy praise shall sanctify our rest.
We thank Thee that Thy Church unsleeping, Whrle earth rolls onward into light, Through all the world her watch is keeping And rests not now by day or night. As o'er each continent and island. The dawn leads on another day, The voice of prayer is never silent Nor dres the stratn oI prarse away. The sr:n that bids us rest is waking Our brethren 'neath the western sky, And hour by hour fresh lips are making Thy wondrous doings heard on high So be it, Lord, Thy throne shall never, Like earth's proud empires, pass away. Thy Kingdom stands and grows for ever Till allThy creatures own Thy sway.
(Admission Free)
9.00 p.m. Torchlight Procession Technical College to Town Centre
9.30 p.m. Closing Ceremony The Boys' Band of Meersburg. Farewell Speech by the Chairman of the Festival Committee: County Councillor Mrs M. Taylor, M.B.E. J.P Hymn.
Sunset and Lowering of the Flag. The National Anthern. March off. Firework Display rn John Whitehead Park.
1981 Festival The 17th Billingham lnternational Folklore Festival will be held from August 1Sth -
22nd, 1981. The Programme Summary Leaflet will be available from April 1st. Ticket sales will begin on Saturday, May 2nd.
A beautiful girl from the Mexican ensemble
Golombia Folklore Ensemble of the universidad del valle - Gali This group was formed in 1967 by Miss Carmen Lopez who ts the present Drrector. It rs made up of students from different faculties in the University who are rnterested in preservrng and performing
Colombian traditions. Atter outstanorng exhrbilrons tn tts own country the ensemble was selected to represent Colombia at rnternatronal festivals in Peru and Ecuador. ln 1976 they gave their first performance in the U S.A. at Miami and then recerved invitatrons to New York and Washington in 1977 Last year they made their first visit to Europe and took part in the C.l.O.F.F. Festrvals of Confolens, France and Frrbourg, Switzerland. They come to us from the Festival of Oloron (on the French side of the Pyrenees) where they participate along wrth the group which is representing I ndia here.
We will see a wide repertoire of dances depicting the three cultures which have influenced the folklore of therr country Native lndian, Spanish and that brought in by Negro Slaves.
Accompaniment is by a strong music sectron make up of Accordion, Clarinet, Trumpet, Guitars, Tiples and Tambors. The dance "Joropo" has the most marked Spanish influence and the rhythms are from Andalucia and Castille. "Guabina Santandereana" rs regarded as very traditional and shows lndian Celebrations. "Mina" is one of several dances based on working in the mines and the Negroid influence is strong as it is in "Garabato" the Dance of Death We have had many successful musical groups from South America but this is the first major dance ensemble actually based in the region to come to this Festival.
Gzechoslovakia The Josef Vycpalek Folklore Ensemble - Prague Dance, music and song from Czechoslovakia has been a popular feature of many of our festivals since the Ensemble "Urpin" from Banska Bystrica frrst performed here in 1 966. Banska Bystrica is in Slovakia which has quite
different traditions from the Czech provinces of Bohemia and Moravia. lt is becoming traditional here to feature a group from this country every two years but to take alternatively Czech and Slovak groups. So, if you are a regular festival patron, it is four years since you will have seen lhrs tradrtion presented on our stages. and thrs group's programme is completely different from that given by the Slovak group in 1978. The Josef Vycpalek Ensemble of National Songs and Dances was founded tn 1947 It very soon became a leading group by its outstanding performances in domestic festivals which led to a one month tour in the U.S.S.R. in 1950. The group specialised in choreographed presentations of typical Bohemiam dances and from its ranks have come many of the leading personalities in the Czechoslovak world of musrc and dance scrence. .
Since 1 950 the ensemble has appeared at many of the important festivals of folklore in Europe, Asia and Africa. This is its first visit to England. The group's performances in England will be under the direction of Dr Eva Rejskova, C I O F F Representative of the Minister of Culture in Prague. She is recognised rnternationally as an outstanding teacher of dance and it is a pleasure to welcome her to Billingham for the first time.
F
Finland
Folklore Ensemble "Katrilli" - Helsinki Many countr es of the world have National Dance Companies which are professional and present the folklore traditions of the country as a theatre performance of a very hrgh standard The National Companies of Korea and Cuba have performed at this festrval in recent years. Such companies, which enhance national prestige, do not exist in Western Europe but the ensemble "Katrillr" from Finland may become the first of its kind in our part of the world The group was established in 1 975 by Sirka Viitanen with the help of the Minister of Education The purpose was to train the members to become a professional folk
song and dance company whrch could represent Finland on the stages of the world 1 1 boys and 13 girls in the dance section of he ensemble. ln addition. there are I musicians and singers. Therr programme consists of Finnish folk dances, music and songs and also folk dances from neighbouring countries The dances include choreographrc arrangements of old dance traditrons.
There are
There are also some new dance productions in their repertoire which includes "The Rose Knot". a folk dance and play choreographed and directed by Doris Laine and composed byAliti
Sonninen.
"Katrilli" have only been giving public performances since 1 978. They have given concerts in Helsrnkr and at the Kaustrnen Folk Music Festival. Last year they appeared at the C.l.O.F.F. Festivals of Santarem (Portugal), Szeged (Hungary) and visited Sweden to perform for the Finnish Society in Stockholm.
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Sirka Vrrtanen, who is Joint Director of the Ensemble is the C l.O.F.F Representative for Finland and a member of the Executive Committee. She was in Billingham in 197 4 for the General Assembly of C l O.F.F. and we welcome her back this year. She and Frnland have made a consrderable contribution to the welfare of C l O.F.F. They organrsed the meeting of the Executrve in 1975 and at short notice, arranged this year's general Assembly at Tampere rn May. The Musical Directors of the group are Veikko Huuskonen and Rerno Kosonen.
German Democratic Republic Folklore Ensemble of Suhl - Thuringia This is the first time a group from the German Democratrc Republic has appeared at Billingham and I am sure they wrll be accorded the special welcome which greets newcomers to our festival. Thrs visit has been arranged through Rosemary Engels, C.l.O F.F. Representative of her country, and the German Democratic Republic Embassy in London.
Thuringia is a provtnce in the south of the country and performances at home are given marnly for holiday makers. The Ensemble consists of a Choir, Dance Group and Orcl-restra so it provides a great deal of valeiy tn qutte an extensive repertoire. There are '1 0 singers (4 Sopranos, 2 Altos, 2 Tenors and 2 Bass), 6 musicians (playing 2 Vrolins, Clarinet, Trumpet. Trombone, Contrabass) and l g dancers. The sound is very attractive; the dances lrght and lively, the costumes colourf ul. Tre whole presentation ts very entertaining. The group was formed in 1970 and members come from many walks of life. There are teachers, office workers, persons workrng rn Agrrcultural Co operaIives, rn a Woodworking Mill and in small Handicraft shops. The Suhl Ensemble participated
successfully in worker's festivals in Erfurt 1 974, Dresden 1 976, and in Suhl 1 978 ln 1 978 they presented "Peasant Wedding" in Pest, the Hungarian twinned district of Suhl, and in 1979 at the lnternational Festival in Zakopane, Poland, where they were awarded the Golden Axe.
Costumes from "Peasant Wedding in Thuringra" will be worn for performances These are copied from the original tradrlronal dress oI the regron. Producer & Choreographer Aenne Goldschmidt Musical Director - Konrad Just
Sri Lanka Pulasthi Dance Ensemble - Kotte ln Srr Lanka the tradition of music and dance has been extant over a perrod of twenty five centuries. The folk songs of the country spring from varrous occupations of the people. The woman who transplants paddy or helps her husband to gather the harvest sang songs of .loy not only to relieve the monotony of daily work but also to express the thrills and pleasures she extracts from life. When the emotions become too much for the songs alone, they express their loy through rhythmic movements of the body and dance. The dances of Sri Lanka fall into two main types, distinct from each other. The Kandyan dance was nurtured and grew in the hrll country, the low country dance had its origins in the south. As in the case of most countries which had a very ancient civilisation, Sri Lanka too had a variety of
rituals which claimed to control the great forces of nature. These rituals were performed to rnvoke the blessings of deities for protection against, or cure from, illness. Dancing took an important place in these propitiation ceremonies The orrgrn of the two styles of dancing of the Ceylonese people could be traced to these rituali,stic ceremonies whrch probably exrsted in Sri Lanka prior to the introduction of Buddhism in the 3rd Century B.C. Whrle the dances of the Hrll country are closely assocrated with a single danceritual, the.dances of the south are connected with a varrety of exorcistic ceremonies and fertility cults which according to tradition, have been handed down from pre-Buddhist times. Special mentron must be made of the famed masked dances peculiar to the Southern part of Sri Lanka The dancers are made to
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wear masks to identify the characters whrch they are expected to play usually in ceremonres and rituals connected with exorcism. Five different types of drum and a Raban
will be used for accompaniment. Chref instrument is the Geta Bera drum covered on one side wrth cattle skin and the other wrth monkey skrn The popular Raban from the villages of the south is held rn one
hand and played wrth the other. The group is directed by Somapala Mudunkothge, a lecturer in Dance at Ananda College in COLOMBO. He has led the group on prevrous tours when they performed at Festivals in France Sparn, Italy and Japan. He has also directed the dance sdquences in three films. His wife Kusuma is female lead dancer, costume designer and make-up expert
Northern Folk This group was formed last year by our Director, Philip T. Conroy. ln his capacity as the U.K.'s C.l.O F.F. Representative he receives, each year, many requests for groups to go to Festivals abroad. lt is sometimes difficult to find ensembles of a
high standard who can present their progr amme on stage as entertainmenl. There is a tendency for folklorists here simply to dance, sing and play purely for their own enloyment. There is nothing wrong with this, but we feel that if there is an audience, then some thought must be given to presentation. "Northern Folk" came into berng for the specific purpose of representing thrs .l country well at the 979 Festival at lakopane rn Poland. Thrs rs the only Festival in C.l.O F F which is competitrve and the Enqlish and Scottish ensembles which had attended in previous years had limited success. Thrs was not surprisrng. Each group has to grve a competttton item of 45 minutes to an lnternational Adludicating Panel of 1 1 persons and an audience of three thousand. The panel, (not unnaturally in Poland) is made up of folklore experts from Central and Eastern Europe. ln 1979, nine members came from Poland, U S S R, Bulgaria, Romania, German Democratrc Republic, Czechoslovakia and Hungary and two came from Turkey and Norway. Only one spoke English Of the 22 groups competrng aboulf Ook came from Eastern Europe. The Group consists of Stockton Morris Men, Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band and St
Leonard's lrish Dancers, Sunderland. At Zakopane they presented their own traditrons and combined to sing, dance and show the folklore of this region as well. A number of the dancers played
rnstruments and these, added to the combined English and lrish bands became a 12 ptece musical ensemble which was a complete contrast to the 7 member Scottjsh Pipe and Drum Group. Richie Burlinson, the leader of the lrish Band produced a novel, beautiful and moving musrcal arrangement which was played with great success wherever the group performed. ln their 45 minutes, Northern Folk gave 1 1 different items, all linked, with continual varrety and contrast. They opened with the Scots Pipe and Drums playing for the English and lrish combining in the presentation of two dances; they closed wrth the dance Blaydon Races (again
Englrsh and lrish combined), the singing led by Frank Matterson.
They recerved seven ma1or awards as
follows:-
1 2 3 4
Main Competition - Third Prize overall in therr category. Musical Groups Competition, Scots Pipes and Drums - Joint First Prize with Mongolia. Musrcal Groups Compelition, Anqlo/lrish Band - Joint Second Prize
with U.S S R lndividual lnstrumental Competition, Special Awards - Pipe Major Alec Hutchrnson.
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ndividual I nstrumental Competition,
SpecialAwards Jack Keane (Violin) 6 Indivrdual Singing Competition, Special
Awards
Frank Matterson.
Press Special Prize (only one awarded) for the Cultural Content and Presentation of their programme. We have seen at Billingham throughout the years many interesting personalities from all over the world. We sometimes forget that here in this area there are folklorists who themselves have international reputations. Three of these who are in Northern Folk are shown. Alec Hutchison, ex-army piper and Scots exile who is the Pipe Major at Newton Aycliffe Alec is an engineer in Darlington. Jack Keane, violinist, who has played for Stockton as long as anyone can remember and who has been at festivals all over Europe and at Billingham almost every yedr srnce 1965. Jack rs a perrpatetrc violin teacher with Cleveland Education Authority Frank Matterson, lrish Dancer, Singer, Caller, Whistle and Spoons player. Frank
first competed in local lrish Dancing Competrtions over 30 years ago and had his first taste of the lnternational festival at the Llangollen lnternational Eisteddfod in 1 955. Frank has performed in all the countries of the U.K., the lrish Republic, France, Sparn, G.F.R., ltaly, Sardinia, Austria, Luxembourg and Poland. Northern Fr:lk perform in the Opening Concert and grve a 45 mrnute concert on the second Saturday evening in the Town Centre.
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Jack Keane Frank Matterson
Alec Hutchison
England
Billingham Festival Dancers This children's group was formed by the Festival Committee rn co ordination with
Cleveland Education Authority in 'j 978. lt is hoped that after a number of years of courses and classes we shall have an English Ensemble of the highest standard whrch we will be proud to send to festivals abroad to represent this Festival and this country. The instructors of the Billingham Festival Dancers are Bob Hare, the group leader
and Ron Marshall The group will appear at the Opening Ceremony, on the frnal Saturday afternoon and at the Barn Dance which ends the "Extra Dimension" on Tuesday.
Bob Hare Bob Hare was or rgrnally a member of Stockton Mbrris Men and his picture first appeared in our programme in 'l 967 along with other members of this group which has given such outstandrng support to our festjval over a long period of years. ln recent years he has established a national reputation as a Folk Dance Caller and he rs in demand at Festivals all over England. His success in this freld is due to an expert knowledge of Country Dancrng, his ability as a dance teacher and lris personality whrch enables hrm to entertain and control large numbers of people on the dance floor. Bob will M.C the Ceilr in the College on the first Saturday night and also the Barn Dance on Tuesday afternoon. He is also the lnstructor of the Billingham Festival Dancers and takes the Beginners Course for children durrng Festival Week.
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lhe Cashel Geili Band , s oand plays at the Barn Dance which
The Billingham Silver Band
rtrs the Extra Drrlensron on Tuesday ltir-roon. They had therr beginntngs with e St Leonard's lr sh Dancers for whom rcrre Buriinson (accordron) was the rcrmpanrsl. Stuart Curry (N/lelodeon), ::r Lawson (Prccolo and Flute) Derek ;=''ce (Violrn)were recruited wrthrn the s: 1 B months Then added from the e-ce group were Frank Matterson L'. stle and Spoons) Pauline Boal (Vrolin) r, p Boyle (Bhodran) and Phrlip Bender i.; :ar)
ank Matterson is the caller and also ngs. The band had a very successful rnrer playing at ceilis all over the area.
anelaw Country Dance Band rc cy Robert Whitehead from Alnwick, rs group has become well known rrughout the region and country. They r,e played at the Saturday Night College
j
long as we can remember. r:, are Scottrsh specialists but we find el-l equally at home with English and sr musrc. Therr trming is impeccable and rs ,ndeed a pieasure to dance to them. , aS
ed Foley and Jez Lowe rese folk singers/instrumentalists were s: -ere rn 1 976 as part of Hendon
l-<s rL,s
They specialise in the traditional c cf the North East Region playing
:a', dulcrmer. whistle and ban1o. râ&#x201A;Ź, .ave been together for seven years tc are popular at folk clubs rn the regron. i s year they are hoping to tour Belgium r
td Germany.
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Jez Lowe and Ged Foley Billingham Silver Silver Band
Musical Director. Mr David Vaughan Evans The Brllrngham Srlver Band was formed rn 1 940 by mernbers of Number 3 Platoon (stocrton) Home Guard In 1945, when hostrlrties ceased and the Home Guard hung up therr unrforms the Band was adopted by the Malleable Club, Norton, and took the name of the Club ln 1 966 the Band moved to Brllrngham, changed rts name to the Billingham Silver Band and h.rs served the local communrty eveT srnce Although primarily a contesting band, competinq in all National and local contests, it carries out many charitable and non charitable engagements. The Band has participated in the Billrngham lnternational Folklore Festival since its inception in 1965, leading the Openrng Day Parade and the Torchlight Processron at the Festival's close. We congratulate the Band on wrnnrng through to the finals of the Natronal Brass Band Competitron last year.
Lucky Numbers Gompetition The Lucky Numbers Competition wrll cover the period of the Festival and all members of the public purchasing a Festival Programme. lncluded on the opposite cover of this Programme there is a number, and.that number may equate with a prize displayed rn one of the many shops in tLre Town Centre either in the window or inside the shop. lf you are able to track down in one of the many shops the number that appears in your Programme, then you must go into the shop withyour Programme and number after filling in your name and address rn the space indicated and request your prize.
Lucky No
Name
.
Address
All prizes can be collected after 5 p.m. on the last day of the Festival, Saturday, 1 6th
August, 1 980.
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A list of shops entering will be published in the August edition of the Billingham Bugle and also displayed in,the Bugle Offices, Boyes Departmental Store, Festival Ticket Office and Moss and Campbells Store.
Printed by Edward Thompson (Printers) Limited, Sunderland.